Absorbent article with strong and weak bonded portions

ABSTRACT

An absorbent article includes an absorber having a front surface side sheet, a back surface side sheet disposed on the back surface side of the front surface side sheet, cells each of which is surrounded by bonded portions of the front surface side sheet and the back surface side sheet and inside each of which the front surface side sheet and the back surface side sheet are not bonded, and particulate materials which include superabsorbent polymer particles and which are contained in each of the cells. The bonded portions are arranged in continuous line shapes or dotted line shapes so as to form same-sized regular hexagons, which connect each other as unit shapes to be a honeycomb shape. All the cells are the same-sized regular hexagonal cells each of which is surrounded by the bonded portions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the U.S. national stage application of International Application PCT/JP2017/006711, filed Feb. 23, 2017, which international application was published on Oct. 5, 2017, as International Publication WO 2017/169341 in the Japanese language. The International Application claims priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-069156, filed Mar. 30, 2016. The international application and Japanese application are both incorporated herein by reference, in entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an absorbent article such as a disposable diaper and a sanitary napkin.

BACKGROUND ART

The absorbent article includes an absorber and a liquid-pervious top sheet covering the front surface side of the absorber. Excretion liquid such as urine and menstrual blood passes through the top sheet and is absorbed and held by the absorber. An absorber obtained by mixing superabsorbent polymer (SAP) particles with hydrophilic short fibers such as fluff pulp and being accumulated in a cotton form has been widely used. However, in response to the request for further thinning, weight reduction, and cost reduction while ensuring a sufficient absorbable amount, various types of absorbers (hereinafter also referred to as cell absorbers) are proposed. Such an absorber includes a large number of cells (small chambers), which are surrounded by bonded portions of the front surface side sheet and the back surface side sheet and in each of which the front surface side sheet and the back surface side sheet are not bonded, and particulate materials including superabsorbent polymer particles are contained in the cells (for example, refer to Patent Literatures 1 to 8 below).

In such a cell absorber, when the volume of the superabsorbent polymer particles in the state of saturated absorption in each cell is sufficiently larger than the volume of the cell, the superabsorbent polymer particles fill in the cell upon the absorption, and there is a possibility that the absorption amount and absorption rate are lowered due to inhibition by the swelling and so-called gel blocking, the comfort in wearing may be deteriorated since the cell becomes hard due to the swelling pressure of the superabsorbent polymer particles, and the superabsorbent polymer particles may leak from gaps among fibers in the case where the front surface side sheet and the back surface side sheet are nonwoven fabrics.

For this reason, in the cell absorber, a structure is proposed in which the bonded portions of the front surface side sheet and the back surface side sheet are peeled off during absorption, and the volume of each cell is enlarged by coalescence of adjacent cells (for example, refer to Patent Ligatures 1 to 5 below).

However, the conventional cell absorber has room for improvement in terms of ease of coalescence of the adjacent cells (that is, ease of peeling off of the bonded portions between the adjacent cells) and increase in the volume of the cell relative to the number of coalesced cells.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: JP 2009-061230 A

Patent Literature 2: JP 09-504207 A

Patent Literature 3: JP 2014-500736 A

Patent Literature 4: Registered Utility Model No. 03172565

Patent Literature 5: JP 2011-189067 A

Patent Literature 6: JP 09-327479 A

Patent Literature 7: JP 10-137291 A

Patent Literature 8: JP 2003-265525 A

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an absorbent article having a cell absorber in which adjacent cells can be easily coalesced and which is excellent in the amount of increase in the volume of the cell with respect to the number of coalesced cells.

Solution to Problem

Representative aspects of the present invention that solve the above problems are as follows.

First Aspect

An absorbent article comprising an absorber including:

a front surface side sheet;

a back surface side sheet disposed on the back surface side of the front surface side sheet;

a plurality of cells each of which is surrounded by bonded portions of the front surface side sheet and the back surface side sheet, and inside each of which the front surface side sheet and the back surface side sheet are not bonded; and

particulate materials which include superabsorbent polymer particles and which are contained in the cells,

wherein the bonded portions are provided in continuous line shapes or dotted line shapes so as to form a honeycomb shape having the same-sized regular hexagons as unit shapes,

all the cells are the same-sized regular hexagonal cells each of which is surrounded by the bonded portions, and

the bonded portions positioned on at least one side of each cell are weak bonded portions which can be peeled off due to a swelling force of the superabsorbent polymer particles in the cells adjacent to the bonded portions.

Function and Effect

Comparing with other shapes with the same area, the perimeter of a regular hexagonal cell is the shortest. Accordingly, in the case where the bonded portions surrounding the cell are weak bonded portions which can be peeled off, when the planar shape of the cell is a regular hexagon, the weak bonded portions can be peeled off with low swelling force. Therefore, in the case where the bonded portions surrounding the cell are weak bonded portions which can be peeled off, when all the cells are formed into the same sized regular hexagons by forming the bonded portion into a honeycomb shape, the adjacent cells are more smoothly and quickly coalesced upon the absorption. Further, if the planar shape of the cell is a regular hexagon, the increase in the volume of the cell relative to the number of the coalesced cells is also excellent. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently increase in the volume of the cell due to the coalescence of the cell.

As is apparent from the above-described restriction that “having the same-sized regular hexagons as unit shapes”, the term “honeycomb” in the present invention does not include a honeycomb in which planarly filled unit hexagons are not regular hexagons. In addition, a regular hexagon may be elastically deformed from an original regular hexagon, which is caused by the stretching and contracting of the front surface side sheet and the back surface side sheet in the manufacturing. However, the term “regular hexagon” includes such a deformed hexagon as long as the rate of the deformation is within ±5% in the front-back direction.

Second Aspect

The absorbent article according to the first aspect, comprising a plurality of the maximum enlargement sections in each of which a portion composed of six or more cells aligned in two or more directions is surrounded by strong bonded portions which are not peeled off against the swelling force of the superabsorbent polymer particles in the adjacent cells,

wherein the bonded portions positioned inside the strong bonded portions in the maximum enlargement sections, are the weak bonded portions, and

peripheral edge shapes of the maximum enlargement sections are closed shapes formed by connecting two to four continuous sides per each cell in cells along the peripheral edges of the maximum enlargement sections.

Function and Effect

If the bonded portions are uniformly peeled off almost entirely except for the peripheral edge of the cell absorber as in the conventional cases, the gelled superabsorbent polymer particles swollen upon the absorption move and collect to a low place such as a crotch portion, and the comfort in wearing may be deteriorated.

On the contrary, as described in Patent Literature 3, it is effective that a large number of strong bonded portions which are not peeled off upon the absorption and a large number of weak bonded portions which are peeled off upon the absorption are combined, the weak bonded portions are provided at intervals in maximum enlargement sections surrounded by the strong bonded portions, respectively and superabsorbent polymer particles are arranged in the cells surrounded by these bonded portions, respectively. However, as illustrated in FIG. 5 of Patent Literature 3, if the maximum enlargement section surrounded by the strong bonded portions is too small, it becomes insignificant to provide the strong bonded portions, and as illustrated in FIG. 14, when the maximum enlargement section is formed to be elongated, after the cells are coalesced, the maximum enlargement section becomes to have a shape in which it is difficult for the cells to be swollen.

On the contrary, when the strong bonded portions surround the portion composed of six or more regular hexagonal cells arranged in two or more directions to form the maximum enlargement section having a closed shape formed by connecting two to four continuous sides per each cell in the cells, the cells can be successively coalesced and smoothly enlarged to the maximum enlargement section, the maximum enlargement section becomes to be swollen easily, and the increase in the volume of the cell with respect to the number of the coalesced cells is excellent when the cells are enlarged to the maximum enlargement section.

Third Aspect

The absorbent article according to the first or second aspect,

wherein longitudinal-strong-bond lines on which the strong bonded portions are continuously provided in the front-back direction along the maximum length of the absorber, are provided in the center portion and the both side portions in the width direction of the absorber, respectively,

a plurality of lateral-strong-bond lines on which the strong bonded portions are provided continuously in the width direction or the oblique direction from the longitudinal-strong-bond line in the center portion to each of the longitudinal-strong-bond lines in the both side portions is provided at intervals in the front-back direction, and

sections, which are surrounded by the longitudinal-strong-bond lines and the lateral-strong-bond lines so as to be partitioned, are the maximum enlargement sections in which the bonded portions positioned between cells in the sections are only the weak bonded portions.

Function and Effect

The strong bonded portions are not peeled off even if the cells on the both sides thereof are swollen upon the absorption, and a groove having the strong bonded portions as the bottom is formed after the absorption. Therefore, the liquid diffusibility in the direction along the groove improves. Therefore, in the case of this aspect, the liquid diffusibility in the longitudinal direction is improved by the longitudinal-strong-bond lines in each of which the strong bonded portions are continuously arranged in the front-back direction, and the liquid diffusibility in the lateral direction is improved by the lateral-strong-bond lines in each of which the strong bonded portions are continuously arranged in the width direction or oblique direction. In addition, the longitudinal-strong-bond lines in the both side portions also have a function of preventing leakage of the superabsorbent polymer particles from the both side edges.

Fourth Aspect

The absorbent article according to the third aspect,

wherein the lateral-strong-bond lines are formed in a zigzag shape extending in the front-back direction while repeatedly bending left and right between the longitudinal-strong-bond line in the center portion and each of the longitudinal-strong-bond lines in the both side portions.

Function and Effect

When the lateral-strong-bond lines are formed in a zigzag shape as described above, it is preferable, because liquid diffusion in the lateral direction can be efficiently facilitated with the small number of the lateral-strong-bond lines, each maximum enlargement section has a substantially triangular shape which is easily swollen, and the increase in the volume of the cell relative to the number of coalesced cells is excellent.

Fifth Aspect

The absorbent article according to any one of the first to fourth aspects,

wherein the bonded portions are arranged such that the parallel opposite sides of the regular hexagons formed in the honeycomb-shaped bonded portions are along the width direction,

at least one low-swelling-cell row in which all of the bonded portions on the both side edges thereof aligned linearly in the front-back direction are the strong bonded portions is provided in the center in the width direction of the absorber, and the both sides in the width direction of the low-swelling-cell row, have a higher swellable height than the low-swelling-cell row.

Function and Effect

The low-swelling-cell row is a row in which both side edges comprised of the strong bonded portions are aligned linearly in the front-back direction and the maximum volume of each cell is small, and the height can be kept low even if the inside superabsorbent polymer particles are swollen. When the portions having a higher swellable height than the low-swelling-cell row are provided on the both sides in the width direction of the low-swelling-cell row, a groove having the low-swelling-cell row as the bottom is formed after the absorption, and therefore the liquid diffusibility in the front-back direction along the groove improves.

Sixth Aspect

The absorbent article according to the fifth aspect,

wherein the low-swelling-cell row does not contain a superabsorbent polymer particle or contains a smaller amount of the superabsorbent polymer particles per unit area than the cells on the both sides in the width direction of the low-swelling-cell row.

Function and Effect

By reducing the amount of the contained superabsorbent polymer particles in this manner, it is possible to form a liquid diffusion groove having a low bottom even upon the absorption. In addition, the inside of the low-swelling-cell row does not give a hard texture due to the swelling pressure upon the absorption.

Seventh Aspect

The absorbent article according to the second aspect,

wherein the bonded portions are portions at which the front surface side sheet and the back surface side sheet are welded,

the weak bonded portions and the strong bonded portions are provided in dotted line patterns,

the line width of the weak bonded portions is narrower than the line width of the strong bonded portions, and

the point interval of the weak bonded portions is wider than the point interval of the strong bonded portions.

Function and Effect

In the case of forming the bonded portions by welding the front surface side sheet and the back surface side sheet, the weak bonded portions can be formed only by forming the bonded portions into a dotted line shape and widening the point interval. However, since the bonded portions function as a boundary between each pair of the adjacent cells, if the point interval becomes too large, the gaps are increased in the boundary between each pair of the adjacent cells, which causes the superabsorbent polymer particles to move easily. Therefore, when the weak bonded portions are formed into the dotted line shape by combining and arranging the width of the line width of the bonded portions and the width of the interval of each pair of the adjacent bonded portions, the weak bonded portions are likely to be peeled off in spite of the narrow gaps.

Eighth Aspect

The absorbent article according to any one of the first to seventh aspects,

wherein the bonded portion is not provided at positions where the sides on which the weak bonded portions are positioned intersect with each other in the cells.

Function and Effect

If the bonded portion is not provided at the position where the sides on which the weak bonded portions are positioned intersect with each other, it is preferable since the weak bonded portions are likely to be peeled off, and the cells are coalesced smoothly.

Ninth Aspect

The absorbent article according to any one of the first to eighth aspects,

wherein at least cells arranged at positions through which the front and back ends of the absorber pass and cells in the both side portions in an intermediate portion of the front-back direction of the absorber are empty cells which do not contain a superabsorbent polymer particle or which contains a smaller amount of the superabsorbent polymer particles per unit area than other cells.

Function and Effect

For example, since the front end and the back end of the absorber are formed by cutting into individual absorbers in the manufacturing, if the superabsorbent polymer particles are included in the front end and the back end of the absorber, the life of a blade of a cutting device may be shortened. Therefore, it is desirable that the cells at the positions through which the front and back ends of the absorber pass be empty cells. Further, in an absorber obtained by mixing the superabsorbent polymer particles with hydrophilic short fibers such as fluff pulp and accumulating them in a cotton form, generally the intermediate portion of the absorber in the front-back direction LD is formed in a shape narrowing along the legs. However, even in the cell absorber, by setting the cells on the both side portions in the intermediate portion in the front-back direction as empty cells, this portion is less swollen even after absorption, and therefore, the absorber fits around the legs even after the absorption.

Advantage Effects of Invention

The present invention provides an advantage that an absorbent article having a cell absorber in which adjacent cells can be easily coalesced and which is excellent in the increase in the volume of the cell with respect to the number of coalesced cells.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating the inner surface of a tape-type disposable diaper in a state where a diaper is spread.

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating the external surface of a tape-type disposable diaper in a state where a diaper is spread.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7(a) is a fragmentary plan view of a main part of an absorber, and FIG. 7(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line 1-1 of FIG. 7(a).

FIG. 8 is a plan view of an absorber.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of an absorber.

FIG. 10 is cross-sectional views taken along line 2-2 in FIGS. 8 and 9.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of an absorber illustrating bonded portions similar to FIG. 8 in a simplified manner.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of an absorber illustrating bonded portions in a simplified manner.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of an absorber illustrating bonded portions in a simplified manner.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of an absorber illustrating bonded portions in a simplified manner.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of an absorber illustrating bonded portions in a simplified manner.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of an absorber illustrating bonded portions in a simplified manner.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 15.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Example of Absorbent Article

FIGS. 1 to 6 illustrate examples of a tape-type disposable diaper, in which the reference sign X indicates the maximum width of the diaper excluding a fastening tape, and the reference sign L indicates the maximum length of the diaper. Each component member is fixed or bonded in the same manner as known diapers as necessary except for the fixing or bonded portion described below. As a unit for fixing or bonding, a hot melt adhesive or welding (heat welding, ultrasonic welding) can be selected as appropriate.

This tape type disposable diaper has a basic structure in which an absorber 50 is interposed between a liquid pervious top sheet and a liquid impervious sheet positioned on the external surface side. The tape type disposable diaper includes a ventral side end flap portion EF, a dorsal side end flap portion EF, and a pair of side flap portions SF. The ventral side end flap portion EF and the dorsal side end flap portion EF are portions extending to the front side and the back side of the absorber 50 respectively and do not include the absorber 50. The pair of the side flap portions SF extends laterally from the side edges of the absorber 50. In each of the side flap portions SF in a dorsal side portion B, a fastening tape 13 is provided. When a user wears the diaper, the fastening tape 13 is engaged at an appropriate place on the external surface of the ventral side portion F in a state in which the side flap portion SF of the dorsal side portion B is overlaid on the external side of the side flap portion SF of the ventral side portion F.

In this tape type disposable diaper, the entire external surface of the absorbent main unit 10 and the side flap portions SF is formed by an outer sheet 12. Particularly, in a region including the absorber 50, a liquid impervious sheet 11 is fixed to the internal surface side of the outer sheet 12 with an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive. Further, the absorber 50, an intermediate sheet 40, and a top sheet 30 are stacked in this order on the internal surface side of the liquid impervious sheet 11. In the illustrated example, the top sheet 30 and the liquid impervious sheet 11 are rectangular in shape and have somewhat larger sizes in the front-back direction LD and the width direction WD than the absorber 50. The peripheral edge portion protruding from the side edges of the absorber 50 in the top sheet 30 and the peripheral edge portion protruding from the side edges of the absorber 50 in the liquid impervious sheet 11 are bonded by a hot melt adhesive or the like. Further, the liquid impervious sheet 11 is formed to be slightly wider than the top sheet 30.

On both sides of the absorbent main unit 10, three-dimensional side gathers 60 and 60 projecting (standing) to the skin side of a wearer are provided, and gather sheets 62 and 62 forming the three-dimensional side gathers 60 and 60 are fixed in ranges from the upper both sides of the top sheet 30 to the inner surfaces of the side flap portions SF.

Details of each part will be described in order below.

(Outer Sheet)

The outer sheet 12 is a sheet constituting the external surface of a product. The outer sheet 12 has a shape in which the intermediate portions in the front-back direction LD on the both side portions are narrowed, and these portions surround the wearer's legs. A nonwoven fabric is suitable for the outer sheet 12, but it is not limited thereto. The type of the nonwoven fabric is not particularly limited. As a raw material fiber, for example, in addition to synthetic fibers such as olefin type such as polyethylene or polypropylene, polyester type, and polyamide type, regenerated fibers such as rayon and cupra, and natural fibers such as cotton can be used. As a processing method, a spun lace method, a spun bond method, a thermal bond method, an air through method, a needle punch method, and the like can be used. However, a long-fiber nonwoven fabric such as a spunbonded nonwoven fabric, an SMS nonwoven fabric, and an SMMS nonwoven fabric is preferable in that good texture and strength can be compatible. In addition to using a single piece of nonwoven fabric, it is also possible to use multiple nonwoven fabrics in layers. In the latter case, it is preferable that the nonwoven fabrics are adhered to each other with a hot melt adhesive or the like. When a nonwoven fabric is used, the basis weight of the fiber is desirably 10 to 50 g/m², particularly desirably 15 to 30 g/m². The outer sheet 12 can be omitted, and in that case, the liquid impervious sheet 11 can have the same shape as that of the outer sheet 12, such that the external surface of a product can be formed.

(Liquid Impervious Sheet)

Although the material of the liquid impervious sheet 11 is not particularly limited, for example, an olefin resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene, a laminated nonwoven fabric obtained by stacking a nonwoven fabric on a polyethylene sheet or the like, a nonwoven fabric in which liquid permeability is substantially secured through a water proof film (in this case, a liquid impervious sheet is formed by the waterproof film and the nonwoven fabric) can be exemplified. Obviously, besides this, in recent years, liquid impervious and moisture permeable materials which have been favorably used from the standpoint of prevention of stuffiness can also be exemplified. As a sheet of this liquid-impervious and moisture-permeable material, for example, a microporous sheet can be exemplified which is obtained by kneading an olefin resin such as polyethylene resin or polypropylene resin and an inorganic filler, forming a sheet with the kneaded materials and monoaxially or biaxially stretching the sheet. Further, nonwoven fabrics using micro denier fibers and a liquid impervious sheet that is not using a water proof film can also be used as the liquid impervious sheet 11. The sheet has liquid impermeability by having high leak proof by reducing air gaps of fibers by heating or applying pressure and by applying a superabsorbent resin, a hydrophobic resin, or a water repellent agent.

(Top Sheet)

As the top sheet 30, a porous or non-porous nonwoven fabric having liquid permeability can be used. The type of constituent fibers of the nonwoven fabric is not particularly limited. Examples of the constituent fibers can include synthetic fibers such as olefin type such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyester type, and polyamide type, regenerated fibers such as rayon and cupra, natural fibers such as cotton, mixed fibers and conjugate fibers in which two or more of these are used, and the like. Further, the nonwoven fabric may be manufactured by any processing. Examples of processing methods can include known methods such as a spun lace method, a spun bond method, a thermal bond method, a melt blown method, a needle punch method, an air through method, and a point bond method. For example, the spun lace method is preferable when flexibility and drapeability are required, and the thermal bond method is preferable when bulkiness and softness are required.

(Intermediate Sheet)

The intermediate sheet 40 is bonded to the back surface of the top sheet 30 to promptly move excretion liquid passing through the top sheet 30 to the side of the absorber 50 and to prevent returning. For bonding between the intermediate sheet 40 and the top sheet 30, heat embossing or ultrasonic welding can be used in addition to using a hot melt adhesive. As the intermediate sheet 40, a resin film having a large number of through holes can be used in addition to using a nonwoven fabric. As the nonwoven fabric, a material similar to that described in the section of the top sheet 30 can be used. However, the material having a higher hydrophilicity than that of the top sheet 30 or the material having a high fiber density is preferable since those have excellent liquid transfer characteristics from the top sheet 30 to the intermediate sheet 40.

Although the intermediate sheet 40 in the illustrated embodiment is shorter than the width of the absorber 50 and disposed at the center portion, it may be provided over the maximum width. The length of the intermediate sheet 40 in the front-back direction LD may be the same as the entire length of a diaper, may be the same as the length of the absorber 50, or may be within a short length range around a region receiving a liquid.

(Three-Dimensional Side Gather)

To prevent lateral movement of excrement on the top sheet 30 and to prevent lateral leakage, it is preferable to provide the three-dimensional side gathers 60 projecting (standing) from the inner faces on the both sides of a product in the width direction WD.

Each three-dimensional side gather 60 is composed of a gather sheet 62 and one or plurality of elongated elastically stretchable members 63 fixed to the gather sheet 62 in a stretched state along the front-back direction LD. As this gather sheet 62, a water repellent nonwoven fabric can be used, and rubber thread or the like can be used as the elastically stretchable member 63. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, a plurality of the elastically stretchable members may be provided on each side, or only one elastically stretchable member may be provided on each side.

The inner surface of the gather sheet 62 has a fixed start point in the width direction WD on the side portion of the top sheet 30. A portion outside in the width direction WD from this fixed start point is fixed with a hot melt adhesive or the like to the side portion of the liquid impervious sheet 11 and the side portion of the outer sheet 12 positioned at the outside portion.

In the periphery of the leg, the inside in the width direction WD from the fixed start point of each three-dimensional side gather 60 is fixed on the top sheet 30 at both ends of the product in the front-back direction LD. However, the portion therebetween is a non-fixed free portion erected by contraction force of one or plurality of the elastically stretchable members 63. Since a diaper is attached to the body in a boat shape in wearing the diaper, and the contraction force of one or plurality of the elastically stretchable members 63 acts, the three-dimensional side gathers 60 erect by the contraction force of one or plurality of the elastically stretchable members 63 and come in close contact with the legs. As a result, so-called lateral leakage from around the legs is prevented.

Unlike the illustrated embodiment, both end portions in the front-back direction LD in the portion of the inside in the width direction WD of each gather sheet 62 are fixed in a state folded in two having a base end side portion, which extends inward from a portion outside in the width direction WD and a tip side portion, which is folded back on the body side from the end edge on the center side in the width direction WD of the base end side portion and extending outward in the width direction WD, and the portion therebetween may be a non-fixed free portion.

(Flat Gather)

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, in each side flap portion SF, on the outside in the width direction WD in the vicinity of the fixed start point of the fixed portion of the gather sheet 62, between the gather sheet 62 and the liquid impervious sheet 11, the elastically stretchable members 64, which are made of rubber threads or the like, around the leg portions are fixed in a state stretching along the front-back direction LD, whereby the leg portion of each side flap portion SF is formed as a flat gather. The elastically stretchable members 64 around each leg portion can also be disposed between the liquid impervious sheet 11 and the outer sheet 12 in the side flap portion SF. As in the illustrated example, a plurality of elastically stretchable members 64 around the leg portions may be provided on each side, or only one elastically stretchable member 64 may be provided on each side.

(Fastening Tape)

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 6, each fastening tape 13 includes a sheet base material forming a tape attaching portion 13C fixed to the side portion of a diaper and a tape main unit section 13B projecting from the tape attaching portion 13C, and an engagement portion 13A with respect to the ventral side, which is provided in the middle portion in the width direction WD of the tape main unit section 13B in the seat base material. A tip end side from the engagement portion 13A is a tab part. The tape attaching portion 13C of the fastening tape 13 is sandwiched between the gather sheet 62 forming an inner layer in the side flap portion and the outer sheet 12 forming an outer layer. The tape attaching portion 13C is adhered to the both sheets 62 and 12 with a hot melt adhesive. In addition, the engagement portion 13A is bonded to the sheet base material with an adhesive so that it cannot be removed.

A hook member (male member) of a mechanical fastener (hook and loop fastener) is suitable as the engagement portion 13A. The hook member has a large number of engagement projections on its external surface side. The engagement projection has a check mark shape, a J shape, a mushroom shape, a T shape, and a double J shape (a shape bonded back to back of a J shape), but may have any shape. Obviously, an adhesive material layer can also be provided as an engagement portion of the fastening tape 13.

As the sheet base material forming from the tape attaching portion to the tape main unit section, in addition to various nonwoven fabrics such as a spunbonded nonwoven fabric, an air-through nonwoven fabric, and a spunlace nonwoven fabric, a plastic film, a polyethylene laminated nonwoven fabric, paper, or a composite material thereof can be used.

(Target Sheet)

It is preferable to provide a target sheet 12T having a target for facilitating engagement at the engagement portion of each fastening tape 13 in the ventral side portion F. In the case where the engagement portion is the hook member 13A, the target sheet 12T can be used having a large number of loops made of threads to which engagement projections of the hook member are tangled are provided on a surface of the sheet base member made of a plastic film or a nonwoven fabric. Further, in the case of an adhesive layer, it is possible to use a sheet base material made of a plastic film having a smooth surface with high adhesiveness and subjected to a release treatment. In the case where the engagement portion of the fastening tape 13 in the ventral side portion F is made of a nonwoven fabric, for example, when the outer sheet 12 in the illustrated embodiment is made of a nonwoven fabric, and the engagement portion of the fastening tape 13 is the hook member 13A, the target sheet 12T may be omitted, and the hook member 13A can be entangled and engaged with the nonwoven fabric of the outer sheet 12. In this case, the target sheet 12T may be provided between the outer sheet 12 and the liquid impervious sheet 11.

(Absorber)

The absorber 50 is a part that absorbs and retains liquid content of excrement. The absorber 50 can be adhered to the components on at least one of the front surface side and back surfaces side via an adhesive such as a hot melt adhesive.

As illustrated in the enlarged view of FIG. 7, the absorber 50 is a cell absorber 50 having the front surface side sheet 51; the back surface side sheet 52 disposed on the back surface side of the front surface side sheet 51; the cells (small chambers) 55 each of which is surrounded by the bonded portions 54 of the front surface side sheet 51 and the back surface side sheet 52, and in each of which the front surface side sheet 51 and the back surface side sheet 52 are not bonded; and the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 contained in each of the cells 55. In this way, by distributing and retaining the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 in a large number of the cells 55 each of which is surrounded by the bonded portions 54, the uneven distribution of the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 in the absorber 50 can be prevented. The cell absorber 50 can be wrapped with a wrapping sheet (not illustrated). In this case, one wrapping sheet can be wrapped in a cylindrical shape so as to surround the absorber on the front and back surfaces and the both side surfaces of the absorber 50 and two wrapping sheets can be also wrapped so as to sandwich the absorber from both the front surface side and the back surface side. As the wrapping sheet, tissue paper, particularly crepe paper, a nonwoven fabric, a polyethylene laminated nonwoven fabric, a sheet with small holes, and the like can be used. However, it is desirable that the wrapping sheet be a sheet through which the superabsorbent polymer particles do not pass. When a nonwoven fabric is used for the wrapping sheet, a hydrophilic SMS nonwoven fabric (SMS, SSMMS, etc.) is particularly suitable, and polypropylene and polyethylene/polypropylene composite material can be used as a material. The basis weight is preferably 5 to 40 g/m², particularly preferably 10 to 30 g/m². When the cell absorber 50 is wrapped with the wrapping sheet(s), pulp fibers can be accumulated on one side of the front surface side and the back surface side of the cell absorber, and the cell absorber together with the pulp fibers can be wrapped with the wrapping sheet(s) collectively.

The front surface side sheet 51 may be a liquid-pervious material or a liquid impervious material, but preferably it is a liquid-pervious material when it is positioned on the top sheet 30 side as indicated in the illustrated embodiment. Similarly to the top sheet 30, a porous or non-porous nonwoven fabric or a porous plastic sheet can be used for the front surface side sheet 51. In the case of using a nonwoven fabric for the front surface side sheet 51, examples of the constituent fibers include synthetic fibers (including not only single component fibers but also conjugate fibers) such as olefin type such as polyethylene or polypropylene, polyester type, and polyamide type, regenerated fibers such as rayon and cupra, and natural fibers such as cotton, but it can be selected without limitation, and it is preferable to use a thermoplastic resin fiber because of excellent thermal processability. The fiber bonding method of the nonwoven fabric is not particularly limited, but to prevent the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 from falling off through the sheet, it is preferable to use a bonding method which increases fiber density, such as a spun bond method, a melt blown method, and a needle punch method. In the case of using a porous plastic sheet, its pore diameter is preferably smaller than the outer shape of the superabsorbent polymer particle 53 to prevent the superabsorbent polymer particle 53 from falling off through the sheet. When the material of the front surface side sheet 51 is hydrophobic, a hydrophilic agent can also be contained.

To facilitate the arrangement of the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 in manufacturing and to secure the volume after the swelling upon the absorption, in the portion forming each cell 55 in the front surface side sheet 51, recesses 51 c recessed from the back surface side to the front surface side are preferably formed, but it may not be formed.

The back surface side sheet 52 may be made of the same material as the front surface side sheet 51, but in the case where the front surface side sheet 51 is composed of a liquid pervious material, a liquid impervious material can be used for the back surface side sheet 52. The liquid impervious material usable for the back surface side sheet 52 can be appropriately selected and used from the materials described in the section of the liquid impervious sheet 11. Although not illustrated, the front surface side sheet 51 and the back surface side sheet 52 may be one side layer and another side layer in which one sheet of material is folded in two.

The superabsorbent polymer particles 53 may not be fixed to the front surface side sheet 51 and the back surface side sheet 52, may be freely movable, and also can be bonded or adhered to the front surface side sheet 51 and the back surface side sheet 52. Further, the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 may be agglomerated to some extent.

As the superabsorbent polymer particles 53, those used for this type of absorbent articles can be used on an as-is basis. The particle diameter of the superabsorbent polymer particles is not particularly limited, but for example, when the particles are sieved (shaking for five minutes) using a standard sieve (JIS Z8801-1:2006) of 500 μm and the particles subjected to sieving with the 500 μm standard sieve are further sieved (shaking for five minutes) using the standard sieve (JIS Z8801-1: 2006) of 180 μm, preferably the proportion of the particles remaining on the 500 μm standard sieve is 30% by weight or less, and the proportion of the particles remaining on the 180 μm standard sieve is 60% by weight or more.

The material of the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 can be used without particular limitation, but the material having the water absorption capacity of 40 g/g or more is suitable. Examples of the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 include starch-based, cellulose-based, and synthetic polymer-based, and starch-acrylic acid (salt) graft copolymers, saponified starch-acrylonitrile copolymers, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose crosslinked products, acrylic acid (salt) polymers, and the like. As the shape of the superabsorbent polymer particles 53, the shapes of particulate materials which are usually used are suitable, but other shapes can also be used.

The superabsorbent polymer particles 53 having a water absorption rate of 70 seconds or less, particularly 40 seconds or less, are suitably used. If the water absorption rate is too slow, back-flow, in which the liquid fed into the absorber 50 returns to the outside of the absorber 50, is likely to occur.

The superabsorbent polymer particles 53 having the gel strength of 1,000 Pa or more are preferably used. Thereby, even when the absorber 50 is bulky, it is possible to effectively suppress stickiness after liquid absorption.

The basis weight of the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 can be appropriately determined according to the absorption amount required for the use of the absorber 50. Therefore, although it cannot be said unconditionally, the basis weight can be 50 to 350 g/m². When the basis weight of the polymer is less than 50 g/m², it is difficult to secure the absorption amount. When it exceeds 350 g/m², the effect is saturated.

It is desirable that the bonded portion 54 for bonding the front surface side sheet 51 and the back surface side sheet 52 be bonded by welding the front surface side sheet 51 and the back surface side sheet 52 like ultrasonic welding or heat sealing, but it may be bonded with a hot melt adhesive.

The bonded portions 54 on the front surface side sheet 51 and the back surface side sheet 52 are provided in dotted line shapes so as to form a honeycomb shape having the same-sized regular hexagons as unit shapes. As a result, all the cells 55 are the same-sized regular hexagonal cells 55 surrounded by the bonded portions 54. The size of each cell 55 can be appropriately determined, and for example, the length 55L of the front-back direction LD can be about 8 to 30 mm, and the length 55W of the width direction WD can be about 10 to 50 mm.

The bonded portions 54 may be formed in a continuous liner shape. In the case where the bonded portions 54 are formed in a dotted line shape (intermittently), it is desirable that the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 be not present in the bonded portions 54, but the superabsorbent polymer particles may be incorporated therein. In the case where the bonded portions 54 are formed in a dotted line shape (intermittently), the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 are not present between the bonded portions 54 (point interval portion) in the direction surrounding each of the cells 55 or are supposed to be less than those in the cell 55 even if they are present therein.

When the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 in each cell 55 are swollen upon the absorption to fill the inside of the cell 55, if the front surface side sheet 51 and the back surface side sheet 52 are strongly bonded at the bonded portions 54 such that the bonded portions 54 are not peeled off due to the internal pressure, there is a possibility that the absorption amount and absorption rate are lowered due to inhibition by the swelling and so-called gel blocking when the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 fill in the cell 55. Therefore, the bonded portions 54 positioned at least on one side of each cell 55 are formed as weak bonded portions 54 b which can be peeled off by the swelling force of the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 in the cell 55 adjacent to these bonded portions 54, and it is preferable that the cells 55 adjacent to these bonded portions 54 are coalesced by peeling off of the weak bonded portions 54 b to form a large cell 55. Such a function can be realized by providing weak bonded portions with decreased bonding strength at appropriate positions and by determining the type and amount of the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 disposed in each cell 55 such that the volume of the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 in the cell 55 upon the saturation absorption, becomes sufficiently larger than the volume of the cell 55.

Here, comparing with other shapes with the same area, since the perimeter of the regular hexagonal cell 55 is the shortest, in the case where the bonded portions 54 surrounding the cell 55 are weak bonded portions 54 b which can be peeled off, when the planar shape of the cell 55 is a regular hexagon, the weak bonded portion 54 b can be peeled off with low swelling force. Therefore, in the case where the bonded portions 54 surrounding the cell 55 are peelable weak bonded portions 54 b, when all the cells 55 are formed into the same-sized regular hexagons by forming the bonded portions 54 into a honeycomb shape, adjacent cells 55 are more smoothly and quickly coalesced upon the absorption. Further, if the planar shape of the cell 55 is a regular hexagon, the increase in the volume of the cell 55 relative to the number of coalesced cells 55 is also excellent. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently increase in the volume of the cell due to coalescence of the cells 55.

All of the bonded portions 54 in the absorber 50 (excluding those located on the outermost side in the width direction) may be weak bonded portions. However, one preferable embodiment is that, as in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 to 17, a planar region of the absorber 50 is divided into the maximum enlargement section 55G surrounding a plurality of the cells 55 by the strong bonded portions 54 a which are not peeled off due to the swelling force of the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 in the adjacent cells 55, and the bonded portions 54 positioned inside each of the maximum enlargement sections 55G is the weak bonded portions 54 b. In this case, all of the weak bonded portions 54 b in the maximum enlargement section 55G are peeled off due to the swelling pressure upon the absorption of the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 in the cells 55, so that a single cell 55 is formed throughout in the entire maximum enlargement section 55G. After that, the strong bonded portions 54 a surrounding the maximum enlargement section 55G are not peeled off due to the swelling pressure upon the absorption of the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 in the maximum enlargement section 55G, such that the gelled superabsorbent polymer particles 53 swollen upon absorption are hardly to move and collect to a low place such as a crotch portion, comfort in wearing may not be hence deteriorated. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, assuming that urine is excreted at the position of the symbol Z, the urine is diffused to the periphery around the position as indicated in FIG. 9, and the urine is absorbed in the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 at each position. At this time, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, as for each the cell 55, in which the swelling pressure of the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 inside is increased, the weak bonded portions 54 b surrounding the cell 55 cannot resist against the swelling pressure, and the cell 55 is coalesced with the adjacent cells 55. This coalescence can be continued as long as the weak bonded portions 54 b can be peeled off due to the swelling upon the absorption of the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 and proceeds to reach the cells 55 having the strong bonded portions 54 a positioned in their sides. Such a function is realized, for example, by determining the type and amount of the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 disposed in each cell 55 such that the volume of the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 in each cell 55 upon the saturation absorption, becomes sufficiently larger than the volume of the each cell 55, and the volume of the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 in the maximum enlargement section 55G upon the saturation absorption becomes less than the volume of the coalesced cells in the entire maximum enlargement section 55G surrounded by the strong bonded portions 54 a.

The difference in bonding strength may be easily formed by changing the area of each of the bonded portions 54 but is not limited thereto. For example, in the case of forming the bonded portions 54 with a hot melt adhesive, a method in which the type of the hot melt adhesive is varied depending on the positions of the cells can be adopted. In the case of forming the bonded portions 54 by welding the front surface side sheet 51 and the back surface side sheet 52, the weak bonded portions 54 b can be formed only by forming the bonded portions 54 into the dotted line shapes and widening the point interval 54D. However, since the bonded portions 54 can be formed at the boundary between the adjacent cells 55, if the point interval 54D becomes too large, the gaps are increased at the boundary between the adjacent cells 55, which causes the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 to move easily. Therefore, when the weak bonded portions 54 b are formed into the dotted line shape by combining and arranging the width of the line width 54W of the bonded portions and the width of the point interval 54D, the weak bonded portions 54 b are likely to be peeled off in spite of narrow gaps.

The size of the bonded portion 54 for bonding the front surface side sheet 51 and the back surface side sheet 52 can be appropriately determined, and for example, the line width (dimension in the direction orthogonal to the direction surrounding the cell 55) 54W can be about 0.6 to 8.0 mm. In the case of forming the bonded portions 54 in a dotted line shape (intermittently in the direction surrounding the cells 55), it is preferable that the length 54L of the bonded portion 54 in the direction surrounding the cell 55 is about 0.6 to 8.0 mm, and the point interval 54D is about 0.8 to 10.0 mm. In particular, in the case of the strong bonded portion 54 a, it is preferable that the line width 54W is about 1.0 to 4.0 mm, the length 54L of the bonded portion 54 is about 1.5 to 4.0 mm, and the point interval 54D is about 0.8 to 2.5 mm. Further, in the case of the weak bonded portion 54 b, it is preferable that the line width 54W is about 0.6 to 3.5 mm, the length 54L of the bonded portion 54 is about 0.6 to 2.5 mm, and the point interval 54D is about 1.0 to 4.0 mm.

The width of the bonded portion 54 in the case where the bonded portions 54 are formed in a continuous linear shape, and the line width 54W in the case where the bonded portions 54 are formed in a dotted line shape, are constant in the direction surrounding the cell 55 and also can be changed. In addition, in the case where the bonded portions 54 are formed in a dotted line shape, the shape of each bonded portion 54 can be appropriately determined, and all of the bonded portions have the same shape, or the bonded portions may have different shapes depending on the site. In particular, when each cell 55 has a polygonal shape, it is preferable to provide the bonded portion 54 at least at one of the intermediate position and each vertex position. Further, in the case of the strong bonded portion 54 a, it is preferable to provide it at each vertex position, but in the case of the weak bonded portion 54 b, it is preferable not to provide the weak bonded portion 54 b, because the weak bonded portion 54 b can be peeled off easily if not provided at each vertex position, and the cells 55 are smoothly coalesced. In the case where the bonded portion 54 is provided at each vertex position, it is desirable that the bonded portion 54 have a radial (star) shape protruding in the direction of each side.

The size, shape, arrangement (that is, arrangement of the strong bonded portion 54 a) of the maximum enlargement section 55G can be appropriately determined, but if the maximum enlargement section 55G is too small, it becomes insignificant to provide the strong bonded portions 54 a, and even if a large number of the cells 55 are provided, when the maximum enlargement section is formed to be elongated, after the cells 55 are coalesced, the maximum enlargement section becomes to have a shape in which it is difficult for the cells to be swollen. Therefore, considering that the cell 55 is a regular hexagon, it is preferable that, as illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 16, in the maximum enlargement section 55G, six or more cells are arranged in two or more directions, and the peripheral edge of the maximum enlargement section forms a closed shape formed by connecting the sides of the cells along the peripheral edge thereof while two to four continuous sides are connected per each cell 55. As a result, the cells 55 can be successively coalesced and smoothly enlarged to the maximum enlargement section 55G, and the maximum enlargement section 55G becomes to be swollen easily. When the cells 55 are enlarged to the maximum enlargement section 55G, the increase in the volume of the cell 55 relative to the number of the coalesced cells 55 becomes excellent. In FIGS. 11 to 16, as indicated by reference signs, the strong bonded portions 54 a are represented by bold dotted lines, and the weak bonded portions 54 b are represented by thin dotted lines.

In the peripheral edge of the maximum enlargement section 55G, a part connecting two consecutive sides per each cell 55 can be a linear part, and a part connecting three consecutive sides per each cell 55 can be linear or a corner portion (turning portion) with an internal angle of 120° and a portion connecting four consecutive sides per each cell 55 can be a turning portion with an internal angle of 60° or 180°. Therefore, by combining these linear portions and corner portions, the peripheral edge shapes (arrangements of the strong bonded portions 54 a) of the maximum enlargement sections 55G can be formed in substantially equilateral triangular shapes as illustrated in FIG. 11, combination of substantially quadrangular shapes and substantially circular shapes as illustrated in FIG. 12, a substantially quadrangular shapes extending in the entire width direction as illustrated in FIG. 13, substantially parallelogram shapes as illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, or substantially quadrangular shapes as illustrated in FIG. 16.

As illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 14, all of the maximum enlargement sections 55G may satisfy the above conditions, as illustrated in FIG. 15, only some of the maximum enlargement sections 55G may satisfy the above conditions. For example, one of preferred embodiments is that, as illustrated in FIG. 15, honeycomb-shaped bonded portions 54 are formed such that the parallel opposite sides of each regular hexagon are along the width direction WD, and in the center of the width direction WD of the absorber 50, at least one low-swelling-cell row 57, in which all of the bonded portions 54 on the both side edges thereof aligned linearly in the front-back direction are the strong bonded portions 54 a, is provided, and the both sides in the width direction WD of the low-swelling-cell row 57 have a higher swellable height than the low-swelling-cell row 57. The low-swelling-cell row 57 is a row of the cells 55 in which both side edges are comprised of the strong bonded portions 54 a and which are aligned linearly in the front-back direction, and the low-swelling-cell row 57 is a portion in which the maximum volume of each cell is small and the height can be kept low even if the inside superabsorbent polymer particles 53 are swollen. When the portions having a higher swellable height than the low-swelling-cell row 57 are provided on the both sides in the width direction WD of such low-swelling-cell row 57, as illustrated in FIG. 17, a groove having the low-swelling-cell row 57 as the bottom is formed after absorption, and therefore the liquid diffusibility in the front-back direction along the groove improves. A plurality of low-swelling-cell rows 57 can be provided adjacent to or spaced apart from each other in the width direction WD of the absorber 50.

It is preferable that the low-swelling-cell row 57 does not contain the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 or contains a smaller amount of the superabsorbent polymer 53 per unit area than the cells 55 on the both sides in the width direction WD of the low-swelling-cell row (for example, a ratio of the basis weight is ½ or less, especially 1/10 or less). By reducing the amount of the contained superabsorbent polymer particles 53 in this manner, it is possible to form a liquid diffusion groove having a low bottom even upon the absorption. In addition, the inside of the low-swelling-cell row 57 does not give a hard texture due to swelling pressure upon the absorption.

Although the arrangement of the strong bonded portions 54 a is not particularly limited, for example, as indicated in the illustrated embodiment, if the strong bonded portions 54 a continue throughout a certain range in a specific direction, such as the front-back direction LD, the width direction WD, and the oblique direction, the cells 55 on the both sides thereof are swollen due to absorption by the internal superabsorbent polymer particles 53, the strong bonded portions 54 a are however not peeled off to the end. Therefore, after the absorption, the grooves with the bottom portions of the strong bonded portions 54 a are formed along the specific directions, and the liquid diffusibility in the directions along the grooves is improved. In addition, if the strong bonded portions 54 a continue in the width direction WD or in the oblique direction, it is possible to prevent the uneven distribution which would be caused by the movement of the gelled materials of the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 swollen upon the absorption as well as to improve the liquid diffusibility in the directions. Further, when the bonded portions positioned on the outermost side in the width direction WD are peeled off, there is a possibility that the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 or the gelled superabsorbent polymer particles 53 leak to the outside of the absorber 50, and therefore it is desirable that the bonded portions are the strong bonded portions 54 a. From the same viewpoint, it is preferable that the front surface side sheet 51 and the back surface side sheet 52 are extended to the outside in the width direction WD to some extent beyond the region where the cells 55 are formed, and the edge bonded portions 54 c are provided in the extended portions for the reinforcement.

For example, one preferable embodiment is that, as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 14 to 16, the longitudinal-strong-bond lines 58, in each of which the strong bonded portions 54 a are continuously aligned in the front-back direction along the maximum length of the absorber 50, are provided in the center portion and the both side portions in the width direction WD of the absorber 50. A plurality of the lateral-strong-bond lines 59, in each of which the strong bonded portions 54 a are aligned in the width direction WD or the oblique direction from the longitudinal-strong-bond line 58 in the center portion to each of the longitudinal-strong-bond lines 58 in the both side portions, is provided at intervals in the front-back direction. In this embodiment, the liquid diffusibility in the longitudinal direction is improved by the longitudinal-strong-bond lines 58, and the liquid diffusibility in the lateral direction is improved by the lateral-strong-bond lines 59. In addition, the longitudinal-strong-bond lines 58 in the both side portions also have a function of preventing leakage of the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 from the both side edges.

In particular, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 11, it is preferable that the lateral-strong-bond lines 59 are formed in a zigzag shape extending in the front-back direction while repeatedly bending left and right between the longitudinal-strong-bond line 58 in the center portion and each of the longitudinal-strong-bond lines 58 in the both side portions. As a result, the maximum enlargement section 55G having a substantially triangular shape with one of the vertexes positioned in the longitudinal-strong-bond line 58 in the center portion and the maximum enlargement section 55G having a substantially triangular shape with one of the vertexes positioned in each of the longitudinal-strong-bond lines 58 on the both side portions are repeatedly formed alternately in the front-back direction. When the lateral-strong-bond lines 59 are formed in the zigzag shape as described above, it is preferable because the liquid diffusion in the lateral direction can be efficiently facilitated with the small number of the lateral-strong-bond lines 59, and the maximum enlargement section 55G has a substantially triangular shape which is easily swollen, and the increase in the volume of the cells 55 relative to the number of the coalesced cells 55 is excellent.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, it is also possible to omit the longitudinal-strong-bond line 58 in the center portion and only provide the lateral-strong-bond lines 59. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 13, it is possible to form the honeycomb-shaped bonded portions 54 such that the parallel opposite sides of the regular hexagons are along the front-back direction LD. Although not illustrated, it is also possible to form the honeycomb-shaped bonded portions 54 such that the parallel opposite sides of the regular hexagons are along the oblique direction.

The number of the longitudinal-strong-bond lines 58 and the number of the lateral-strong-bond lines 59 may be suitably determined, but three to four longitudinal-strong-bond-lines 58 are preferably provided when the longitudinal-strong-bond line is provided along the side edge of the cells 55 positioned on the outermost side of the absorber in the width direction WD, and one to two longitudinal-strong-bond lines 58 are provided when the longitudinal-strong-bond line is not provided along the side edge. It is desirable that the number of the lateral-strong-bond lines 59 be about four to ten.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, it is also possible to provide the empty cells 56 which do not contain the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 or which contain a smaller amount of the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 than other cells even if the cells contain them. In FIG. 8, an area 53A having a pattern of hatched lines indicates a region for containing the superabsorbent polymer particles 53. Since this region is based on assumption of the shape of a region in which the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 are dispersed in the manufacturing, there are portions which are not covered by the pattern of the hatched lines in the cells 55 in the peripheral edge. Actually, in the case where the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 can move in each cell 55, the positions of the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 in the cell 55 are not fixed in a state of the product, and the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 can be distributed throughout the cells 55 in the same manner as in the state illustrated in FIG. 7. The amount of the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 contained in the empty cell 56 is preferably ½ or less, particularly 1/10 or less, of the other cells in terms of weight ratio, and it is particularly preferable that the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 are not contained at all in the empty cell. For example, since the front end and the back end of the absorber 50 are formed by cutting into the individual absorbers 50 in the manufacturing, if the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 are contained in portions where the cutting is performed, the life of a blade of a cutting device may be shortened. Therefore, it is desirable that at least the cells 55 located at the positions through which the front and back ends of the absorber 50 pass be the empty cells 56. Further, in the absorber 50 obtained by mixing superabsorbent polymer particles 53 with a hydrophilic short fiber such as fluff pulp, and being accumulated in a cotton form, generally, the intermediate portion in the front-back direction LD is formed in a narrow shape so as to be along the legs. However, also in the absorber 50, by setting, the cells 55 on the both sides in the intermediate portion in the front-back direction LD, as the empty cells 56, the intermediate portion in the front-back direction LD will be less swollen even after absorption, and therefore, the absorber 50 has a shape that fits around the legs even after the absorption.

In the case of manufacturing the absorber 50, since it is difficult to accurately distribute a predetermined amount of the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 to the individual cells 55, it is preferable that the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 are uniformly dispersed throughout the entire region for containing the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 (the region excluding the portions to be the empty cells 56) on the front surface side sheet 51 or the back surface side sheet 52, and then the bonded portions 54 are formed to bond the front surface side sheet 51 and the back surface side sheet 52 as one unit and to confine the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 in each cell 55. In this case, particularly with respect to the peripheral cells 55 positioned in the peripheral edge of the region for containing the superabsorbent polymer particles 53, it is difficult to disperse the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 in an accurate shape matching with the peripheral edge of the cells 55. Therefore, as can be seen from the shape of the dispersing region 53A which is defined for dispersing the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 and indicated by the pattern of hatched lines in FIG. 8, it is desirable to disperse the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 such that the peripheral edge of the region 53A for the dispersion passes through the middle of the peripheral cells 55. In this case, the amount of the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 contained in the peripheral cells 55 is less than the amount of the same contained in the cells 55 positioned inside the peripheral cells 55, and in the case where the cells 55 are further provided outside the peripheral cells 55, these outer cells 55 become the empty cells 56 which do not substantially contain the superabsorbent polymer particles 53.

In the above example, only the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 are contained in the cells 55, but it is also possible to contain the superabsorbent polymer particles 53 together with particulate materials other than the superabsorbent polymer particles 53, such as deodorant particles.

Explanation of Terms Used Herein

In the case where the following terms are used in the specification, those have the following meanings unless otherwise specified in the specification.

“Machine direction (MD)” and “cross direction (CD)” mean the flow direction (MD) in a manufacturing facility and the lateral direction (CD) orthogonal to the flow direction, and either one is the front-back direction of a product, and the other is the width direction of the product. The MD of a nonwoven fabric is the direction of fiber orientation of the nonwoven fabric. “Fiber orientation” is a direction along which a fiber of a nonwoven fabric runs and determined by, for example, a measurement method in accordance with the fiber orientation test method based on the zero span tensile strength of TAPPI T481 and a simple measurement method for determining the direction of fiber orientation from the ratio of the tensile strength in the front-back direction to the width direction.

“Spread state” means a flatly spread state without contraction or slack.

“Stretch rate” means the value when the natural length is taken as 100%.

“Artificial urine” is prepared by mixing urea: 2 wt %, sodium chloride: 0.8 wt %, calcium chloride dihydrate: 0.03 wt %, magnesium sulfate heptahydrate: 0.08 wt %, and ion exchanged water: 97.09 wt %, and those are used at a temperature of 40° C. unless otherwise specified.

“Gel strength” is measured as follows: 1.0 g of superabsorbent polymer are added to 49.0 g of artificial urine and the mixture is stirred with a stirrer. The resulting gel is left for three hours in a thermohygrostat bath at 40° C., 60% RH and then cooled to room temperature. The gel strength of the gel is measured with Curdmeter (MAX ME-500, manufactured by I. Techno Engineering Co., Ltd).

“Basis weight” is measured as follows. After the sample or test piece is preliminary dried, it is allowed to stand in a test room or apparatus under normal conditions (the test location is at a temperature: 20±5° C., relative humidity: 65% or less) until the constant mass. The preliminary drying is to make the sample or test piece be constant mass in an environment within a relative humidity of 10 to 25% and a temperature not exceeding 50° C. The fibers of an official moisture regain of 0.0% does not need preliminary drying. A cut sample with a size of 200 mm by 250 mm (±2 mm) is cut from a test piece in the constant mass, with a cutting template (200 mm×250 mm, ±2 mm). The sample is weighed and the weight is multiplied by 20 into the weight per one square meter. The resulting value is defined as the basis weight.

“Thickness” is automatically measured under the conditions of a load of 10 gf/cm² in a pressurized area of 2 cm² using an automatic thickness measuring device (KES-G5 handy compression tester).

“Water absorption capacity” is measured according to JIS K7223-1996 “Testing method for water absorption capacity of super absorbent polymers”.

“Water absorption rate” is the “time that elapses before the end point” measured in accordance with JIS K7224-1996 “Testing method for water absorption rate of super absorbent polymers” has been carried out using 2 g of superabsorbent polymer and 50 g of physiological saline solution.

When environmental conditions in tests and measurements are not described, the tests and measurements shall be carried out in a test room or apparatus under normal conditions (the test location is at a temperature: 20±5° C., relative humidity: 65% or less).

The dimension of each part means the dimension in the spread state, not the natural length state, unless otherwise stated.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   -   11 liquid impervious sheet     -   12 outer sheet     -   12T target sheet     -   13 fastening tape     -   13A engagement portion     -   13B tape main unit section     -   13C tape attachment portion     -   30 top sheet     -   40 intermediate sheet     -   60 three-dimensional side gather     -   62 gather sheet     -   50 absorber     -   51 front surface side sheet     -   51 c recess     -   52 back surface side sheet     -   53 superabsorbent polymer particles     -   54 bonded portion     -   54 a strong bonded portion     -   54 b weak bonded portion     -   54 c edge bonded portion     -   55 cell     -   55G maximum enlargement section     -   WD width direction     -   56 empty cell     -   57 low-swelling-cell row     -   58 longitudinal-strong-bond line     -   59 lateral-strong-bond line 

The invention claimed is:
 1. An absorbent article comprising an absorber having a front surface side and a back surface side, the absorber including: a front surface side sheet; a back surface side sheet disposed on the back surface side of the front surface side sheet; a plurality of cells each of which is surrounded by bonded portions of the front surface side sheet and the back surface side sheet, and inside each of which the front surface side sheet and the back surface side sheet are not bonded; and particulate materials which include superabsorbent polymer particles and which are contained in the cells; wherein the bonded portions are provided in continuous line shapes or dotted line shapes so as to form a honeycomb shape having same-sized regular hexagons as unit shapes; wherein the bonded portions comprise strong bonded portions and weak bonded portions, wherein the bonded portions positioned on at least one side of each cell are weak bonded portions which can be peeled off due to a swelling force of the superabsorbent polymer particles in the cells adjacent to the bonded portions; wherein strong bonded portions provided in a center portion and side portions on either side of the center portion along a width direction of the absorber are longitudinal-strong-bond lines, each of the longitudinal-strong-bond lines continuously extending in a front-back direction that is orthogonal to the width direction along a maximum length of the absorber; wherein strong bonded portions provided in a zigzag shape bending left and right between the longitudinal-strong-bond line in the center portion and each of the longitudinal-strong-bond lines in the side portions are lateral-strong-bond lines; and wherein the longitudinal-strong-bond lines and the lateral-strong-bond lines define maximum enlargement sections, each of the maximum enlargement sections having a substantially triangular shape.
 2. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein: each maximum enlargement section comprises six or more cells aligned in two or more directions, wherein the six or more cells are surrounded by strong bonded portions which are not peeled off against the swelling force of the superabsorbent polymer particles in adjacent cells; wherein the bonded portions positioned inside the strong bonded portions in the maximum enlargement sections are the weak bonded portions, and wherein peripheral edge shapes of the maximum enlargement sections are closed shapes formed by connecting two to four continuous sides per each cell in cells along peripheral edges of the maximum enlargement sections.
 3. The absorbent article according to claim 2, wherein the bonded portions are portions at which the front surface side sheet and the back surface side sheet are welded; wherein the weak bonded portions and the strong bonded portions are provided in dotted line patterns; wherein a line width of the weak bonded portions is narrower than a line width of the strong bonded portions, and wherein a point interval of the weak bonded portions is wider than a point interval of the strong bonded portions.
 4. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein bonded portions are not provided at vertex positions where sides of the cells on which the weak bonded portions are positioned intersect with each other.
 5. The absorbent article according to claim 1, wherein at least cells arranged at positions through which front and back ends of the absorber pass and cells in the side portions in an intermediate portion of the front-back direction of the absorber are empty cells which do not contain a superabsorbent polymer particle or which contains a smaller amount of the superabsorbent polymer particles per unit area than other cells.
 6. The absorbent article according to claim 3, wherein bonded portions are not provided at vertex positions where sides of the cells on which the weak bonded portions are positioned intersect with each other. 